5440

A personal note from John Mann

I would like to let you know that I have been diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease. I know this will come as a shock to many of you. It wasn’t for me. I’ve had my fears and suspicions, but I was remaining hopeful that there was some other cause for the problems I was experiencing.

Hearing the news has been a difficult blow. My family and I have taken some time to try and absorb the ramifications as we struggle to come to terms with the changes that have occurred and are yet to come.

But I don’t want to spend any more energy trying to hide my symptoms. I don’t want to feel embarrassed. I want to accept what has happened and live. I will continue to make music and I will continue to do shows.I need to use an iPad now to help with the lyrics and for my solo shows, either Al Rodger or Tobin Frank will accompany and support me with their diverse and abundance of talents. My Spirit of the West band mates have circled me with care and we will forge ahead as we’ve been doing the last 30 sum odd years with humour and friendship, playing our hearts out. I will continue to write and tour, because this is what I do and what I love.

Thanks for being there,

John

For More Information Please contact:

Allen Moy / Divine Industries Inc

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Hello to all of our friends that follow this list. One of our Blackie and The Rodeo Kings brothers Tom Wilson is embarking on a Canadian tour for his band LeE HARVeY OsMOND. Here are the details:

LeE HARVeY OsMOND BRINGS THE FOLK SINNER ON NATIONAL TOUR, REVEALS SHADOW AND LIGHT SONG SERIESTom Wilson led project to perform songs from Polaris Music Prize Listed new album in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario this fall. All tour dates are listed below. Watch Folk Sinner tracks Honey Runnin’, Deep Water, Big Chief & Love Everyone on the Shadow And Light Song Series

The SHADOW AND LIGHT SONG SERIES began so I could document songs as they were being written. I'm mystified and in awe of the creative process and the energy that surrounds 'the moment'. I've always believed that the purest most honest performance of a song occurs immediately after it's written and gets taken out for its first joyride. Here's THE SHADOW AND LIGHT SONG SERIES. I live to love honestly. It's a full time job.

Since releasing The Folk Sinner on Latent Recordings earlier this year, LeE HARVeY OsMOND’s sophomore album has widespread critical acclaim, hitting # 1 on the national !earshot radio chart and being long listed for The Polaris Music Prize. Produced by Michael Timmins, The Folk Sinner is the follow up to LeE HARVeY OsMOND’s Polaris Music Prize long listed debut, A Quiet Evil. Special guests include Margo Timmins, Hawksley Workman, Colin Linden, Oh Susanna, Andy Maize, Colin Cripps and Paul Reddick.

Divine News

Wednesday, 05 September 2012 01:00

Gold, Guts & Glory Tour 2012

Well everyone, the time has come to admit that we have been a band for more than 30 years. We want to thank everyone who raised a glass and celebrated our monumental (by rock n roll standards) anniversary.

We truly enjoyed performing for you and guess what?? We plan to continue on. Yes, we have set some new goals and we have plans for new tours and new recordings. So thanks for your continued support as we announce our GOLD GUTS and GLORY tour 2012. What would a 5440 tour be without the traditional Vancouver show at The Commodore Ballroom (October 13). This year we are giving you the additional option of attending a earlier start, seated show (all ages) at The Vogue Theatre (October 12). Tickets for both shows go on sale Friday June 15, 2012 .